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Paul Maurice

Paul Maurice is a Canadian professional ice hockey coach and former player, best known as the head coach of the Florida Panthers of the National Hockey League (NHL).

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Paul Maurice is a Canadian professional ice hockey coach and former player, best known as the head coach of the Florida Panthers of the National Hockey League (NHL). Born in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, he has coached several NHL teams since 1995 and won the Stanley Cup with Florida in 2024.

Early life and playing career

Paul Maurice was born in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, in 1967. He played junior hockey as a defenceman before moving into coaching.

NHL coaching career

Maurice began his NHL head-coaching career with the Hartford Whalers in 1995 and later coached the Carolina Hurricanes, Toronto Maple Leafs, Winnipeg Jets, and Florida Panthers. His career has included multiple long tenures and several returns to previous organisations.

Florida Panthers era

Maurice was hired by Florida in June 2022 and led the Panthers to the Stanley Cup in 2024. By 2026, the Panthers stated he had reached 2,000 games coached and remained one of the league’s most experienced coaches.

Coaching milestones and recognition

Maurice has reached several notable NHL milestones, including 600 NHL coaching wins in 2017 and 2,000 games coached by March 2026. He is widely regarded as one of the most experienced coaches in NHL history.

Key facts

  • Paul Maurice is a Canadian ice hockey coach and former player, currently head coach of the Florida Panthers.
  • He was born in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, and played as a defenceman before coaching.
  • Maurice has coached the Hartford Whalers/Carolina Hurricanes, Toronto Maple Leafs, Winnipeg Jets, and Florida Panthers.
  • He won the Stanley Cup with the Florida Panthers in 2024.
  • He has reached major coaching milestones, including 600 wins and 2,000 games coached.
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Canadian context

Maurice is a Canadian from Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, and is one of the most prominent Canadian NHL coaches of his generation.[2][3]

Frequently asked questions

Who is Paul Maurice?
Paul Maurice is a Canadian ice hockey coach and former player who is the head coach of the Florida Panthers.
Where was Paul Maurice born?
He was born in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada.
Which NHL teams has Paul Maurice coached?
He has coached the Hartford Whalers/Carolina Hurricanes, Toronto Maple Leafs, Winnipeg Jets, and Florida Panthers.
Did Paul Maurice win the Stanley Cup?
Yes. He won the Stanley Cup with the Florida Panthers in 2024.
When did Paul Maurice join the Panthers?
He was named head coach of the Florida Panthers on June 22, 2022.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Maurice
    Supports: Career milestones including 600th NHL coaching win and Winnipeg Jets tenure
  2. Florida Panthers / NHL.com — https://www.nhl.com/panthers/info/paul-maurice-bio
    Supports: Birthplace, coaching history, Panthers hiring date, family, and major coaching milestones
  3. Wikipedia (German) — https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Maurice
    Supports: Birth date, Canadian nationality, Panthers coaching role, and 2024 Stanley Cup win
  4. Elite Prospects — https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/157186/paul-maurice
    Supports: Playing position, birth date, birthplace, and retired player status
  5. Sportsnet — https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/jets-announce-extension-head-coach-paul-maurice/
    Supports: Winnipeg Jets tenure, extension, and prior coaching career